Cistern-cleaning apparatus.



Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

J. SHEPHERD.

CISTBRN CLEANING APPARATUS.

f rxr nella Prrt tu. 'Anunam n, c.

APPLIOATIOH FILED N07. 15, 1909. 985,708.

To all whom, 'it may concern.'

f struction and combination of parts as here Toledo. in the county of Lucas and State of `provcment. in Cistern-Cleaning Apparatus,

tents about, and with improved means j n nrrnn sfrafrns PATENT onirica.

JOHN SHEPHERD, y0.1? TOLEDO, OHIO.

CISTERN-CLEANING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Fen. 2s, 1911.

Application filed November 15, 1909. Serial No. 528.108.

Be itknown that I, JOHN Smart-reno, a' citizen of thev United States, residing at.

Ohio. have invented a. new and useful Imof which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cistern cleaning apparatus and has for its object to provide an improved apparatus of the kind. whereby sediment and impurities deposited and accumulated on the bottom of a cistern may be automaticall7 collected in a receiver and removed from the cistern through the clear water above without contaminating it.

A further object is toprovide an apparatus of the kind with simple and effective means whereb;v it may be readily handled for tilling and emptying without contamination of the hands or clothes. or scattering the conwhereby the apparatus when filled with sediment is automaticallyv and securely closed against leakage while being lifted through the water and carried to the place of emptying.

I accomplish vthese. objects bv the coninaftcr described and illustrated in the drawings. in whieh- Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation, of a cistern cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. the cylinder and bottom closure being shown in diametric vertical section, and the bottom closure being shown in full lines in closed position. and in dotted lines in open posit-ion. Fig. is a view in side elevation of the same, showing the bottom of the cylinder closed, and Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the bottom closure.

ln the drawings 1 designates; a cylindrical receiver, formed of sheet. metal. fI'he receiver is closed at the top and open at the bottom and is provided with a tubular handle 2 formed of sections adapted to be coupled together or uneoupled to increase or diminish its length, according as the depth ofthe cistern may require to lower the c vlinder to the bottom of the cistern. The handle 2 is axially secured to the top 3 of the c vlinder b v the outer and inner nuts 4 and 5 run on the threaded end portion 6 of the handle 2.

The cylinder is provided with the diametrically opposite longitudinal tubular guides 7 which extend from the top to the. bottom edge ofthe c vlmder, and movably mounted on the handle 2 by the eye S is a bail 9. coln- 11.A b v the lugs 1'2, is a bottom closure 13 for the cvlinder. comprising an annular' concave metal disk, having an upturned peripheral flange 117 and a central opening 15, around `which is provided an uptnrned ange 1G,

forming an edge seat for a flat leather valve 17 having a hinged portion 18 riveted to the disk. Around and abutting the flange 14 is an annular packing 19 of rubber or leather, which is secured in position by an annular plate 20. which is secured by its inner portion to the disk and has its outer portion extending partlv over the packing 19. Thus constructed. the bail 9 ma;T be moved upward on the handle Q to lift the bottom closure 13 into engagement. with the lower end of the c vlinder 1. and downward to dise'ngage it therefrom. To secure the closure 13 in position closing the lower end of the cylinder. the handle 2 is provided with a spring hook latch L3.1. which is lo-A the closure disk 13 into close engagement;

with the lower end of the c vlinder 1 within the flange 14 of the closure.

The upper and free end of the handle 2 is provided with a curved handle section 22 which is coupled to the main portion of the handle and is provided with a cock valve :23 having a handle Lt b v which it may be opened or closed.

Thus constructed the operation of cleaning a cistern with the apparatus is as follows -First closing the -cock 23 and then the cylinder h v the closure 13. the apparatus is lowered into the cistern b v the handle portion 22 until the ends of the bail 9 rest on the bottom of the cistern. Then in this position. the cock valve Q3 is then opened. which allows the air in the c vlinder 1 to escape. and the valve 17. under the pressure of the water above. opens and the sediment on the bottom of the cistern is forced up into the cylinder. Again closing the cock valve 23, the apparatusis lifted up out of the eistern, the weight otthe. contents of the cylinder automatically eloslng the valve 17 as 'soon as the lifting begins. To empty the flange 14 and the packing l5) abuttingr the flange', when the-closure is engaged with the lower end ot' the cylinder the parking forms therewith a water tight. joint. and by seat ing the leather back check valve 1T on the edge of 'the flange 1G l. provide for a water tight seating ot' the valve without liability of .sediment lodging on the seat and prevent ing a perfect closure of the valve. By providing the handle 2 with the curved end section Q2 it is made more convenient for lowering and raising the (gvlinder, and when the cock 23 is opened and the air in the cylinder is released. any water and sediment that may he earried ontJ by the air is directed downward and away from the operator.

What I claim to be new is- 1 ln a cistel'n cleaner, the combination of a cylinder, closed at the top and open at the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.;

bottom, a tubular handle secured to an( opening into the top ot the cylinder, dia

inetrically opposite guide ways longitudina of the cylinder, a bail having parallel enf'y portions mounted and movable in the guide ways and a central portion mounted and movable on the handle as a guide, a closure for the open end of the cylinder, secured to the end portions of the baill and movable thereby to and from engagement with the open end of the cylinder, Said closure comprising an annular inwardly eonvexed sheet nietal disk. having a peripheral flange adapted to teleseopicall)v receive the end of Y the cylinder, and an interior flange around 5its central opening. a flexible cheek valve adapted to be .seated on the flange by pressure 'from within and opened by pressure thereon troin without the cylinder. and a packing between the inner and outer flanges adapted to engage the end of' the cylinder.l a

Lralre in the handle adapted to close. the

handle. and a latch secured te the. handle and adapted to detarhably secure-the bail when the end closure is inoved by the bail into engagement with the end of the c vlinder.

ln witness whereof l. have hereunto signed my naine in the preSenee of two subscribing witnesses. this llth day of ovelnher 1909i 6 ltll IX SHEPHERD.

ln presence of u lV. J. BiLLixoSLEA, Gno. P. KING.

Washington, D. C. 

